Resumes

Cover Letters

Applications

Interviews

Finding a Job

19992009Job seekers did not trust email to deliver a resume;

snail mail or fax was used to deliver resumes to employers.

Keywords were only used in the top ‘keyword section’

Resumes were stored by job seekers on 3.5 inch disks.

Paper resumes were toted to interviews

Facts

E-mail is the name of the game; have a professional e-mail address and file naming system

Integrate keywords into the entire document for electronic searches

Store your resume on a thumb drive

Still bring a paper resume to in-person interviews

Ten years ago common joke job candidates merely had to be breathing to be employed.

HOT market 1999. dot-com bubble instant stock-option millionaires everywhereCEOs in twenties especially in start-up

companiesdream world for job seekers with employers

practically bidding for candidates

2009 one of the most competitive job markets everjob seeker, must be very competitive in every aspect

of your job search. You can pull no punches when laying out your

qualifications and you cannot afford to be humble. Don’t use passé resume formats/templatesResumes are living documents that change over time

and adjust to the needs of the market. They evolve to best market job seekers to a changing

employment world. Decade long time in “resume years” and light years in

terms of job market conditions. Brush up your arsenal and you’ll be well on your way

to a 21st century job search.

Tell the reader who you arewhat you want right awayfirst section of résumé, reiterate key points in

cover letter.the kind of position you’re looking for. Be

specific.they will spend a few seconds with your résumé. Do them a favor and give them a cheat sheet.

Don’t make them search your résumé for information, they won’t. They’ll move to the next.

Tip #1: Include a List of Your Qualifications Right Up Front

customizing the section headings of your résumé

great way to highlight the relevance of your résumé for the reader.

instead of writing “Work Experience,” tailor it to the job you’re applying for --“Public Relations Experience.”

use this method to highlight different levels of relevant experience. For example, you can list your “In-House Experience” separately from your “Agency Experience.”

Tip #2: Customize Your Section Headings for the Position

List work experience in chronological order? NO!

Listing your most relevant qualifications first keeps reader from getting bogged down with filler information that doesn’t apply to the position and catch their eye.

If you don’t have any relevant experience, put your education immediately following your summary of qualifications.

Tip #3: List Your Most Relevant Qualifications First

Depending on the position you’re looking for, you probably have past work experience that doesn’t apply to the targeted position.

Tempting to include all of your work experience, whether it’s relevant or not.

Including only most relevant work experience shows the reader that you’re clearly qualified for the position.

Only include irrelevant work experience if it’s the only experience you have.

Tip #4: Include Only Your Most Relevant Experiences

Big name organizations look great on a résumé and are sure to impress any reader.

But if you’ve had a great, relevant position at an organization that’s not a big name, consider highlighting the position rather than the company

However, if you have worked for a high profile firm or organization, definitely list the company name before the position title.

Tip #5: Consider Emphasizing the Position Title Instead of the Organization

You might think that you need to devote the majority of your résumé to the experience where you spent most of your time = résumé myth.

recommend using the 80/20 rule: if 20% of your experience is relevant to the desired position, use 80% of your résumé to discuss it.

Even if it was for only a short time, describe your relevant experience in detail.

Use the majority of your résumé space to paint a picture of that experience for your reader.

Tip #6: Describe the Experiences that are Most Relevant to the Targeted Position

Using action verbs to describe your experience will show the reader just how skilled you really are.

For example, instead of writing, “responsible for” certain duties, explain exactly what those duties were. “Organized, planned, and coordinated corporate

events and conventions,” for example, gives the reader a clear idea of how you spent your time in this position and enables them to ask you specific, targeted questions in an interview.

Tip #7: Use Action Verbs to Describe Your Experience in Detail

The cover letter is your chance to shine and tell the reader about yourself.

It’s also the place to explain why and how you are perfect for that specific position.

Use the cover letter as an opportunity to tailor your application to the individual organization and position.

Tell them why you want to work for them and what you can bring to the table in a way that’s direct and concise.

Tip #8: Sell the Résumé in a Custom Cover Letter

Sending the résumé and cover letter in separate PDF files accomplishes two important things. 1) When the two items are in separate

documents, the reader won’t have to scroll through your résumé or cover letter to find the information they are looking for. It will save them time and hold their interest.

2) Also, the vast majority of résumés have formatting issues and highlighted misspellings.

A PDF file will ensure that your résumé functions properly without software or translation issues.

Tip #9: Send the Résumé and Cover Letter in Separate PDF Files

competitive market, résumé needs to be in top shape. Because you can’t go back in time and change your experience,

professional résumé writer can help you get the job fast which means money in the bank. The money invested in a professional résumé writer can get you closer to a regular paycheck.

Tip #10: Consider Investing in the Services of a Professional Résumé Writer

1 Stress your successes.Rather than listing the basic job duties you've performed in a ho-hum way, emphasize your accomplishments.

2 Steer clear of vague objective statements.Prepare a clear and specific objective for each

employer you approach.3 If you truly need more space, use it.

The pressure to keep your resume to one page can get to be a little ridiculous, so don't fall prey to it. Tell your story.

Consider these tips.

4 Omit certain details for sure.Avoid including any of these: the names of your spouse

and children; your age, height or weight; detailed lists of hobbies and the like.

5 Use strong verbs.Don't refer to yourself with the terms "I" and "me";

instead, start each resume entry with strong verbs and action phrases, such as, "Managed a team of 80," "Saved the company $1-million.“

6 Be a perfectionist about spelling and grammar.Run your resume through a grammar and spell-check on

the computer, but don't stop there. Proofread your resume again and again, and ask people you trust to read it.

7 Remember to include key words.Key words are relevant job titles, responsibilities,

skills and industry-specific terms, and they should be sprinkled throughout your resume. I

8 Don't reference your references.Does your resume have that "References available

upon request" phrase? Delete it!9 Do just so.

Submit your materials exactly how the employer wants to see them. If a company specifies it only accepts hard copies of resumes, don't e-mail it. If e-mail is preferred but attachments are not, don't send attachments.

10 Pay special attention to your cover letter.No matter how flawless resume is, it will all be for

naught unless you include a well-written cover letter.

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Links to Peruse/Your Resume Bible

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The Function of a Cover Letter Many applicants are confused about the

difference between a cover letter and a resume. resume lays out an applicant’s work and

education historycover letter is a space where the applicant can

explain how these will benefit the employer, as well as how these fit the specific position and company.

cover letter functions like a persuasive sales letter to convince employer applicant is the best person for the job.

Cover Letter

Before writing the cover letter, the applicant should make a copy of the job ad and go through it carefully, highlighting any key words, specific qualifications and duties that the job involves.

The applicant should then research the employer and the specific position, and determine the needs of the company.

Use your own qualifications, try and match these to key words in the ad

Begin the cover letter with a “hook”. The employer will be receiving a lot of applications so the

applicant needs to ensure that his or her attention-grabbing opening will capture the employer’s interest.

The best way is to immediately indicate key qualifications for the position.

Avoid “I am applying for the ... position” or “Please accept the enclosed resume in application for the ... position” as these are common cover letter openings.

Top Ten Tips for Cover Letters

In the body of the cover letter, the applicant should expand on the qualifications stated in the opening and demonstrate how these can benefit the employer, using strong examples.

The applicant can divide the letter up to include a paragraph on educational experience and one on work experience. The applicant can also add examples that highlight, for example, leadership skills, initiative, problem solving skills and team work.

The applicant must give solid, relevant evidence and measurable achievements – for example: “While I worked as a Cashier at McDonalds I received the “Employee of the Month” award. The applicant should remember that he or she is not repeating his or her resume, but supporting his or her experience with brief “stories”.

The cover letter should end with a strong request for an interview, and the applicant should make it easy for the reader by providing clear contact details.

The cover letter should be roughly 4-5 paragraphs long – no more than a page. The applicant should ensure that he or she writes in a concise, clear manner, with logical transitions between paragraphs and no unnecessary or repetitive information.

The applicant must proof read the cover letter carefully. The applicant should write the cover letter in a word

processor, use a spell check program and proofread for any grammatical errors, before sending. Have a parent or sibling check it for errors.

Final Tips for Cover LettersThe biggest mistake job applicants make is not to tailor

make each cover letter to the specific position. This is essential to getting an interview, as the employer

can see that the applicant has taken the time and effort to research the company and the position.

Another important step is to follow up after the application to show continued interest in the position.

Today we’re going to explore six questions to ask about corporate culture, along with an explanation of what makes them work. Consider asking a few of these on your next interview:

Interview Questions to Ask….

1. If you could describe your corporate culture in three words, what would you say? This question accomplishes several goals. First, it’s creative. That positions you as a thinker, not just another resume. Second, it challenges the interviewer to boil down the essence of their workplace in only a few words. Finally, your interviewer’s response isn’t as important as how she responds. Watch her body language. Check her posture. And keep an eye on her facial expressions. Look for consistency between actions and words to get the true description of the culture. Because someone’s body never lies to you.

2. If you were going to give public tours of this company, what stops would the guide make? This is another creative question to challenge your interviewer. What’s more, her answers will represent the “greatest hits” of the company’s culture. This delivers invaluable insight into what they perceive as the leading attributes of their company. After all, you wouldn’t make it a stop on the tour if it didn’t symbolize a core component to the company’s culture, right?

3. If the local paper were going to run a four-page article about your company’s culture, what would be impossible not to include?

Creative, challenging and counterintuitive. Also positions you in a positive light, regardless of the answer. And, similar to the tour question, this allows your interviewer to put her company in the best light. The secret is, by suggesting a newspaper article it reveals the parts of the company’s culture that she would want the public to know about. Transparency is key.

4. What’s the best part about working in this environment that I won’t be able to see from just a walk around the office?

This question digs deep into the true value of working in a particular company environment. You learn the culture behind the culture, as some workplaces are quite different once you’ve been employed there for a few months. This might be helpful in eliciting a little candor in your interviewer about the reality you’d be working in. Sometimes culture is hard to discern from a brief walkthrough or few weeks of work.

5. What are the most common complaint employees make about your company culture? Although you want to keep your interview as positive as possible, throwing a monkey wrench into the interview gears might not be a bad idea. Especially because it’s an unexpected question. The cool part is, by discovering the negative aspects about a company before working there, you know what to expect. Like visiting Portland during wet season (September through May) before deciding to move there. At least there’s no sugar coating.

6. What do you love best about the culture here?Finally, try getting personal. Find out what brings your interviewer back to work every day. Find out what prevents her from leaving the company and going somewhere else. This example is your best tool as a “final” question to ask toward the end of the interview. Just be sure not to ask it too early. Wait until you’ve created a connection and built rapport with the interviewer. That way you’ll be guaranteed an authentic answer.

Remember: Company culture is everything. You can’t work where you don’t fit.

Ask a few of these questions on your next interview, and you’ll be sure to find the organization that’s the right environment for you